Naoto Fukasawa Design

LIT LIGHTING DESIGN AWARDS 2023

December 12th, 2023
Prize(s) : Winners in Chandeliers

Lladró / Mokuren

LIT LIGHTING DESIGN AWARDS 2023
Discipline : Product : Gold Certification
Categories : Product Design in Small Series & Hand-Made / Lighting fixture in small series or hand-made : Platinum Certification

Lladró / Mokuren

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition

DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2023

September 21st, 2023
DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2023
Product Design award in the Furniture & Lighting category
Prize: Winner in Product Design/Furniture & Lighting

Lladró / Mokuren

DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2023

ELLE DECOR October 2023

September 19th, 2023
The October 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR, released on September 7, 2023, features a special section titled "Naoto Fukasawa's Current Location: DESIGNER, NAOTO FUKASAWA."
HIROSHIMA armchair designed by Naoto Fukasawa for maruni is in the G7 Hiroshima Summit from 19 to 21 May 2023

*Image courtesy of G7 Hiroshima Summit Official Website
BLOCCO chair / BLOCCO stool / TO table / LAND
www.plank.it
Cinnamon sofa / Tuscany chaise longue
www.molteni.it
Black Tako chair and round table / Hiroshima armchair in ash
www.maruni.com
A collection : home-office collection (desk, chair, lamp and partition)
www.kettal.com
AF/21 New faucet for ABOUTWATER
www.fantini.it
Kuru Kuru - The Mud Turnner project
www.alessi.com
Alessi
Kuru Kuru - The Mud Turnner project
Palazzo Borromeo d'Adda, Via Manzoni 41, Milan
www.alessi.com

B&B ITALIA
TETRAMI
B&B Store in via Durini 14, Milan
www.bebitalia.com

Boffi
SO weaving chair
Via solferino 11, Milan
www.boffi.com

DePadova
SO weaving chair
Via Santa Cecilia 7, 20122, Milan
New DePadova showroom in Via Manzoni 17 Milan
www.depadova.com

Fantini
AF/21 New faucet for ABOUTWATER
Via Solferino 18, Milan
www.fantini.it

KETTAL
A collection : home-office collection (desk, chair, lamp and partition)
Fiera (RHO): Hall 04 STAND B11, C12
www.kettal.com

Lladro
MOKUREN chandelier
Fiera (RHO): Hall 09 STAND 211
www.lladro.com

Maruni
Black Tako chair and round table / Hiroshima armchair in ash
Fiera (RHO): Hall 04 STAND C06, C08
www.maruni.com

Molteni&C
Cinnamon sofa / Tuscany chaise longue
Fiera (RHO): Hall 04 STAND A07, B06, A03, BO2
www.molteni.it

PLANK
BLOCCO chair / BLOCCO stool / TO table / LAND
Fiera (RHO): Hall 02 STAND L20
www.plank.it

UP TO YOU ANTHOLOGY
Bags collection
Corso Venezia, 23, 20121 Milano
www.uptoyouanthology.com

DESIGN SCIENCE_01

March 20th, 2023
THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION's book "DESIGN SCIENCE_01" was released.

The science is definite and reliable. The design is abstract, indefinite, and somehow magical and mysterious. What do we find when we consider design as a science? Top runners at the cutting edge of their fields, including designers, novelists, ecological psychologists, anthropologists, visual space directors, and psychiatrists vividly depicts the knowledge that emerges from "DESIGN x SCIENCE," which switches the world toward the beauty by launching the sensory organs of people's awareness and interest in the quality of daily life and the environmental world.

Author
Naoto Fukasawa (Designer / THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION Founder)
Masato Sasaki (Ecological Psychologist)
Kaoru Mende (Lighting Designer)
Keiichiro Hirano (Novelist)
Tomoko Mukai (Visual-Spatial Designer / Design and Art Educator)
Yutaka Nakamura (Design Anthropologist)
Katsuhiko Kushi (Professor at Kyoto Institute of Technology)
Katsuyuki Toritani (External Director, Geniee,Inc.)
Nobutaka Matsuo (Patent Attorney)
Akio Koyama (Psychiatrist)
Tsunao Nagasaki (Designer / Professor at Tama Art University)

Edit
THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Website
Instagram

Publisher
Gakugei Miraisha

Buy
Amazon
From March 3 to June 25, 2023

Venue : 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 1 & 2
Opening Hours : 10:00 - 19:00( Entrance until 18:30)
Closed on : Tuesdays (Except Mar.21, 2023)


It has become difficult to identify what an original is. We can be sure what it is not - imitation, copy, homage or influence. Among these "influence" stands apart as not implying conscious mimicry, and yet it is impossible to escape influence. What people unconsciously feel themselves drawn towards is what we here call The Original. The power of The Original is such that it attracts. It is next to impossible to conceptualize a design that is not in some way indebted to The Original. The Original exerts influence, giving rise to trend, and so swiftly proliferating.

The above sequence is the norm. However, some Originals prove resistant to emulation. They possess an originality so intense that their shapes cannot be borrowed. Such Originals represent true excellence in design. Most, it must be said, were created about the same time as the word "design" came into being. Today we have moved on. As a society we have grown indifferent to design. People scarcely care what The Original is and what is the imitation. That state is because we are no longer sufficiently invested in the high quality entailed by The Original. I thought this a tragedy, and so planned the present exhibition.

I want visitors to feel how wonderful The Original can be. I want people to share my excitement.
Design tools have evolved dramatically so that anyone can produce beautiful lines and forms. This proliferation risks copy-and-paste jobs that take design down blind alleys.
Let's learn how amazing The Original is! Let's admit not just that we are influenced by such pieces, but let's be jealous of them! The greatest masters and regular people live to the same age, so let all of us use our time to create wonderful Originals for the future.
This is why we title this exhibition "The Original." It is fun, I believe, to search out something to which you can rightfully give that label.

Naoto Fukasawa
"THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION" was established by Naoto Fukasawa.

Website: https://thedesignsciencefoundation.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_design_science_foundation

Homo Faber Event 2022

March 2nd, 2022
From April 10 to May 1, 2022, at HOMO FABER EVENT at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini (Venice San Giorgio Maggiore Island) will be holding an exhibition titled “12 Stone Garden”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa and Tokugo Uchida.

Homo Faber Event returns to Venice in 2022 to unveil an unprecedented cultural experience of craftsmanship with 15 immersive exhibitions. For its second edition, the event looks to highlight the excellence of master craftsmanship internationally. With a special focus on craftspeople from Japan, it spotlights the country’s venerated craftsmanship traditions and time-honoured skills, and showcases its influence on European creativity and craftsmanship.

”12 Stone Garden” Curated by Naoto Fukasawa and Tokugo Uchida. On display are objects by 12 Japanese National Living Treasures, master artisans whose mastery of traditional skills makes them a valued part of the country’s cultural heritage. Among the exquisite works are kimonos, an urushi lacquered harp and a bamboo flower basket. All the objects are displayed on 12 stone-shaped blocks designed by Naoto Fukasawa.

Organised by the Michelangelo Foundation

homofaber.com

Elevator, Hitachi

April 15th, 2021
On April 15, 2021, Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. launched the Elevator designed by Naoto Fukasawa.
All the plane surfaces are uniform with one tone of color, conceiving a monolithic impression. The details are carefully crafted, the iconic shape of the ceiling lighting, the clear visibility of the buttons, the comfort of the handrails. Those elements create a beautiful space that travels up and down and brings a high-quality experience to the passengers.

http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3510/

iF DESIGN AWARD 2021

April 20th, 2021
iF DESIGN AWARD 2021
PLUS / team-demi
From March 19 to May 9, 2021, MUJI Ginza Atelier MUJI GINZA will be holding an exhibition titled “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa.

The Mingei Movement of folk craft and MUJI, although born of different eras, have each continued to question their origins in the context of consumerism, while also taking in the influence of changing trends and lifestyles. Produced with the cooperation of The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), the traveling exhibition, “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,” hoists high the MUJI banner in an innovative, forward-looking form. The exhibition offers visitors a message replete with guideposts to the future and opportunities to appreciate the beauty of mingei. The name MUJI is derived from the original Japanese, Mujirushi Ryohin, which can be translated as “no-brand quality goods.” As the name suggests, MUJI is all about creating products that serve a useful everyday purpose by subtly and modestly blending into day-to-day life. MUJI’s aim has been to become a useful part of people’s daily lives all around the world, whatever the setting might be—from the kitchen to the living room to the washroom. Our hope is that this exhibition will provide guests with an opportunity to take a good, close look at the philosophy that has always shaped MUJI’s craftsmanship, one product at a time.

Za Stool, emeco

March 3rd, 2021
In February 2021, Naoto Fukasawa and Emeco launched the Za stool collection.
A series of three-size stools handcrafted from recycled aluminum used everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
“Za” means 'a place to sit' in Japanese.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3441

TG Flagship Store OPEN

January 6th, 2021
From January 16 to March 7, 2021, MUJI Naoetsu Open MUJI will be holding an exhibition titled “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa.

The Mingei Movement of folk craft and MUJI, although born of different eras, have each continued to question their origins in the context of consumerism, while also taking in the influence of changing trends and lifestyles. Produced with the cooperation of The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), the traveling exhibition, “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,” hoists high the MUJI banner in an innovative, forward-looking form. The exhibition offers visitors a message replete with guideposts to the future and opportunities to appreciate the beauty of mingei. The name MUJI is derived from the original Japanese, Mujirushi Ryohin, which can be translated as “no-brand quality goods.” As the name suggests, MUJI is all about creating products that serve a useful everyday purpose by subtly and modestly blending into day-to-day life. MUJI’s aim has been to become a useful part of people’s daily lives all around the world, whatever the setting might be—from the kitchen to the living room to the washroom. Our hope is that this exhibition will provide guests with an opportunity to take a good, close look at the philosophy that has always shaped MUJI’s craftsmanship, one product at a time.

Tako, maruni

September 16th, 2020
In September 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and maruni launched the Tako series, a new collection consisting of solid wood chairs and tables, using innovative industrial processes and traditional craftsmanship methods.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3363/

team-demi, PLUS

September 10th, 2020
In September 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and PLUS released the new team-demi. Inspired by PLUS original palm-sized stationery set from 1984.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3323/

Pao steel pendant, HAY

September 15th, 2020
In August 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and HAY launched the Pao lighting series, an exciting collaboration on a collection of lamps.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3301/
In the AXIS issue, released on October 1, 2020, a dialogue about the brand book "True design" viewed through ALEXIS, was posted with Naoto Fukasawa, the designer of ALEXIS Shelf, the photographer Tamotsu Fujii and art director Kaoru Kasai.

iF GOLD AWARD 2020

February 7th, 2020
iF GOLD AWARD 2020
- HITACHI / Air Purifier

ifworlddesignguide.com

iF DESIGN AWARD 2020
- SUS, ALEX / Alex Shelf
- TAOBAO Choice, ALIBABA / Elements of Life

UP TO YOU ANTHOLOGY

December 4th, 2019
On December 5, 2019, UP TO YOU ANTHOLOGY presented bags collection designed by Naoto Fukasawa at Corso Garibaldi, 116 in Milano.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3126/

2019 GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD

November 16th, 2019
2019 GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD
- MUJI / GACHA

2019 GOOD DESIGN BEST 100
- SUS / Alex Products Alex Shelf
- HITACHI / Air Purifier

2019 GOOD DESIGN AWARD
- TAOBAO Choice, ALIBABA / Elements of Life
- MUJI / ROUND CHAIR
- COTTO / OVAL
- JAKUETS / KAME

Richard Schlagman Art Book Awards

September 6th, 2019
Embodiment by Naoto Fukasawa (Phaidon Press) received the Best Book of Contemporary Design in Richard Schlagman Art Book Awards.

whitechapelgallery.org
Naoto Fukasawa and COTTO announced the release of a unique bathroom series collaboration on March 2019. The Oval Collection includes a wash basin, faucet, toilet, showerhead, and a mirror. It utilizes the warm and elegant geometry of the oval to create a set of complementary elements connecting the human figure and the ambiance of the bathroom.
http://naotofukasawa.com/ja/projects/2814/

Air Purifier, Hitachi

March 7th, 2019

"ITSUMO" Cutlery ALESSI

January 18th, 2019
The cutlery series ITSUMO was released as part of ALESSI’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection at MAISON&OBJET PARIS on January 18, 2019.
http://naotofukasawa.com/ja/projects/2709
“Elements of Life”, designed by Naoto Fukasawa, was launched and released onto the market by Taobao Xinxuan, operated by China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., on December 3, 2018 at the International Design Museum of China (designed by Alvaro Siza, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province). This symbolic design was created using only square and round elements; rather than creating an impact on the user’s life, the products are inevitable elements that become one with their environment.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2356

Glassware TG, TAIWAN GLASS

January 11th, 2019
Seventy three new products were released onto the market by TAIWAN GLASS on January 11, 2019. These form a series comprised of cups, plates, coffee cups and wineglasses made of glass and ceramics. The U-shaped cup for drinking water forms the design language base for the whole series, and each product has been unified under this language. The series was designed with a view to enhancing quality from the simplest acts in life.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3130

Monolithic Cookware, JIA

September 27th, 2018
“Monolithic Cookware” designed by Naoto Fukasawa was released by JIA Inc. on September 27, 2018. This is a series of light, durable pots made from cast aluminum and utilizing the latest Teflon processing technology. Slimming down the base of the handle intuitively highlights how easy they are to hold. This series was selected for Best meals on wheels at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2019.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2227
“A Special Dialog: Jonathan Ive x Naoto Fukasawa – Industrial Design That Changed the World” was printed in AXIS magazine’s February edition, released on December 29, 2018. This is a dialog between Apple’s chief design officer, Jonathan Ive, and Naoto Fukasawa. The two designers, both leading forces in industrial design, discussed the evolution of design.

MINGEI - Another Kind of Art

November 2nd, 2018
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT holds the exhibition "MINGEI - Another Kind of Art" directed by Naoto Fukasawa, from November 2, 2018.
Naoto Fukasawa, together with three kilns producing Mashiko-yaki, launched BOTE & SUTTO, a new ceramicware brand; sales of the brand through IDEE’s Roppongi store commenced on January 25, 2019.
As the brand’s director, Naoto Fukasawa ascertained the clay, glaze and shape that constitute Mashiko-yaki, along with its history and background, and affordedan outline from the essence of these elements. Based on this outline, Fukasawa, Mashiko town and potters in the township worked together to create thirty six products, some on the thick side and some with a fresh feel to them.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2290

Naoto Fukasawa Embodiment

April 1st, 2018
A collection of Naoto Fukasawa’s works was released by British publishing house PHAIDON. This is the second collection of his works published by PHAIDON, the first being NAOTO FUKASAWA, published in 2007. The book contains stunning photos and accompanying explanations of more than 100 of his designs spanning the 10 years since his previous book was released.